Eagle on Arrowhead
'Eagle on Arrowhead' (Finished) by Shane Wilson (Moose Antler Carving)
February 01, 1998
The eagle is mounted on an angle suspended above and away from the mount, providing the illusion that the eagle is soaring past and not fixed in place.
LINKS: In Progress Slide Show
(moose antler carving, moose antler sculpture)
'Eagle on Arrowhead' (Phase 5) by Shane Wilson (Moose Antler Carving)
February 01, 1998
I have refined the feather structure and cleaned up the lines. Then I polished the entire surface and prepared the mounting plaque.
(moose antler carving, moose antler sculpture)
'Eagle on Arrowhead' (Phase 4) by Shane Wilson (Moose Antler Carving)
January 27, 1998
The eagle is now finished the roughing out process. Over the next day or so, I'll refine the lines, then sand and polish.
(moose antler carving, moose antler sculpture)
'Eagle on Arrowhead' (Phase 3) by Shane Wilson (Moose Antler Carving)
January 04, 1998
In this phase, I have completed the roughing out of the left wing. To my delight, some of the colour on the left wing has survived the carving process so far and promises to add a little interest to the finished piece. Next, I'll begin at the head and move down the back to the tail.
(moose antler carving, moose antler sculpture)
'Eagle on Arrowhead' (Phase 2) by Shane Wilson (Moose Antler Carving)
October 01, 1997
As always, it's fascinating to break new ground. For me, the feather structure of the eagle is new. Especially the upper structure of the feathers on outstreatched wings. In all the reference materials I have collected over the years, there is not one picture of an eagle taken from above! The drawing I generated for this carving was extrapollated from several side shots of eagles in flight with wings down.
In this phase, one wing has been roughed out using straight, or cylindrical, bits. I have attempted to show some irregularity in the feathers - much as a real eagle would look. Most of the painted or carved eagles that I have seen to date are all "perfect". I feel that spoils the naturally wild and powerful feel of the eagle.
The natural curve of the antler has allowed me to curve the tips of the feathers upwards as if the eagle's wings had just reached their zenith and were on their way back down.
Unfortunately, I lost most of the colour on the right wing. I guess some things are only skin deep!
The left side is sketched in and ready to be carved next.
(moose antler carving, moose antler sculpture)
'Eagle on Arrowhead' (Phase 1) by Shane Wilson (Moose Antler Carving)
September 22, 1997
The eagle has been traced and cut out of the moose antler.
The eagle was sketched and photocopied, then the photocopy was cut to form the pattern. I smoothed the surface area of the moose antler to be cut with the Foredom grinder prior to tracing. The eagle was cut from the antler using a 16" band saw. (The quality of the blade makes a huge difference when using a band saw. The higher quality blades cut more easily and can take more twisting and turning.)
Note the wonderful colouration of the antler under the outer layer of bark!
(moose antler carving, moose antler sculpture)
'Eagle on Arrowhead' (Beginning) by Shane Wilson (Moose Antler Carving)
September 18, 1997
This is a commissioned a piece, which combines an eagle with an arrowhead. I have designed the piece so that the eagle is in full flight above the arrowhead. The eagle will be carved from moose antler and the arrowhead will be a shaped oak base.
(moose antler carving, moose antler sculpture)